St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-12
CONGRESSMAN MACDONALD.
His Views on the AtVater POStORfIce
-.Advice TO Constituenssa-TheN ext


Congressman Macdonald has been in ST.
Paul for several days. To a GLOBE repre-
sentative he talked very freely. In the course
of the conversation he said:
There is nothing to that yarn about the
Atwater postof1ice. 1t is almost a pity to
spoil that story of the Pioneer Press reporter,
but truth compels. There was not even
reasonable foundation for it. unless the tele-
gram enormously stating that Marcus John
SON was appointed can be called such. In
brief, johnson has not been reappoin.ed;
neither did Mr.. Kelly or Mr.. Doran have any
thing to do with it; ard am the only person
responsible for what has been done-all of
which shows the wisdom of the GLOBE In
going to headquarters for its information.
the facts about the Atwater Office are simply
these: Last February was requested by the
chairman of the Democratic committee to ask
that action be taken upon Mr.. Demming's APP
plication and petition, and las knew him) to
recommend him. l did SO, and he was ap-
pointed. AS soon as the appointment was
announced, objections and remonstrances to
it were sent to me, land deemed them worthy
of investigation. At my request the COM
mission was withheld to give me time TO IN
vestigate as to the basis of these objections.
Before / had time to satisfy myself and re-
port. it became necessary to have the records
of the department as to it in proper shape,
and that some action be taken, and the order
appointing him and removing Mr.. Johnson
was Cancelled, leaving Johnson as if nothing
had been done about that office. The tele-
graph wrongly reported Johnson reappointed
and the reporter of the Pioneer Press drew
on his Imagination for the rest. Personally,
I have nothing against Mr.. johnson, but he is
not the timber we are making postmasters of
at present.
Yes, am very busy at present attending to
matters placed in my charge. l aim to an
swer all letters and do what l can for them,
hot roll or IND I,na INT,
of postmasters and other officers, purpose
to advise only such as am satisfied is best
for the people at large and most satisfactory
to them. In all cases where there is a con-
test some one has to be disappointed, but we
have done our best.
/ wish you would suggest to your readers
that in all applications the full christian or
'.given' name should be given, and thus save
me the trouble of having frequently to write
for the full name. Also, that old soldiers,
writing to me about their pension claims,
should state the number of it and the COM
pany and regiment they served In. I am run
Mug good-sized pension agency now, and
this also would often save me the trouble of
writing letter. .'''
1t is difficult to foretell much about the
next congress. The great issue will be tariff
reform mot free trade, as the Republicans
would have it, and reduction of the sur
plus. / apprehend that the tariff reform
Democrats will not consent that Mr.. Randall
shall again be placed in position where he
can control legislation as he has done during
the last congress. He has upon this, the only
party ISSUE co-operated with the Republicans
in defeating all efforts in behalf of tariff re-
form and a reduction of the treasury surplus
in such q manner as would benefit the great
mass of the people. The people desire to see
the revenue reduced by reduction of the
Tariff tax upon articles of necessity, and not
by a reduction of the tax upon whisky and
tobacco. Our party has nothing to hope from
Pennsylvania, and the action of its Republi-
that Mr. Randall is regarded there as good
enough Republican for them. Don't borrow
any trouble about the interstate commerce
bill. Its enemies have the floor now. There
always has been such "kicking." The COM
mission will do what is right.